NBA roundup: Lakers make biggest comeback of the season, Lillard explodes for Trail Blazers

Dallas, Texas - The Los Angeles Lakers came back from 27 points down on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks to produce the largest comeback of the NBA season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks over Dallas Mavericks guard Justin Holiday during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks over Dallas Mavericks guard Justin Holiday during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.  © USA TODAY Sports

Early in the second quarter, the Lakers trailed 48-21, before going on to escape with a 111-108 victory for their third win in a row, and their biggest comeback since 2002.

Trade deadline acquisition Malik Beasley announced his arrival with a 25-point outburst in Thursday's win against the Golden State Warriors, and this time around it was Jarred Vanderbilt showing why he has forced his way into the Lakers' starting line-up.

The rangy six-foot-eight defensive menace was everywhere, working as the primary defender on Luka Doncic on his way to 15 points (six-of-eight shooting), 17 rebounds (eight offensive), and four steals in his 27 minutes.

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NBA NBA star Jontay Porter hit with lifetime ban after probe uncovers "cardinal sin"

Anthony Davis was the star of the show on the offensive end, scoring a game-high 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting with 15 rebounds and four assists, and the league's active leader for career blocked shots per game swatted away three Maverick attempts.

LeBron James had an injury scare, and while he is still not out of the woods, he stayed in the game and put up 26 points on 10-of-23 shooting with eight rebounds.

For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shot a combined 18-of-44 (40%) from the field for 47 points, while the other three members of the starting line-up combined for 18 points.

With the win, the Lakers improved their record to 29-32 and now sit just one game out of the Play-In Tournament placings, while they are also just 2.5 games away from the Mavericks in the sixth seed.

Around the league: Trail Blazers ground the Rockets, Warriors beat the Timberwolves

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson looks toward the basket before making a three-pointer against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson looks toward the basket before making a three-pointer against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.  © USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard matched Donovan Mitchell's season-best 71 points as he scored 13 three-pointers in the Portland Trail Blazers' 131-114 win over the Houston Rockets.

The Blazers guard's 71-point mark was both a franchise and career high, topping his previous record of 61.

Lillard had 41 points with eight triples by half-time, the most points of any player in a half this season. He shot 13-of-22 from beyond the arc for the game, having a perfect 14-of-14 from the line.

NBA MVP award finalists named as contenders battle it out for league honors
NBA NBA MVP award finalists named as contenders battle it out for league honors

After 42 points and 12 three-pointers in Friday's win, Klay Thompson led the Golden State Warriors to a 109-104 home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The future Hall of Fame sharpshooter hit another six threes on his way to a team-high 32 points, shooting 12-of-23 from the field and six-of-14 from deep. Donte DiVincenzo was strong in a supporting role, chipping in 21 points (seven-of-13 shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

After shooting a red-hot 43.1% on a gaudy 11.6 three-point attempts per game in the month of January, Thompson has elevated even further this month, getting up 12.1 attempts per game and connecting at 45.9%.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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